The General Assembly returned to Richmond today (4/11/11), this time to take action on legislation that reconfigures the Commonwealth’s 11 Congressional districts.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the House Privileges and Elections Committee quickly approved a plan that’s not dramatically different from the current map.  

A statewide coalition of citizen reformers says it’s not too late for a redistricting compromise that actually benefits the voters—instead of incumbents and the majority party within each legislative chamber.  The members say before the legislation arrives at the Justice Department, that last line of defense is Governor McDonnell… and they are urging him to consider a nonpartisan commission’s recommendations before signing off on the House and Senate plans.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

While the House passed its own redistricting plan Wednesday night, the Senate debate continues.  Democrats and Republicans submitted competing plans in a Senate Privileges and Elections Committee and the Democratic majority prevailed….but as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling says the battle is just beginning.

State lawmakers took a break from redistricting to conduct their annual Reconvened Session…where they considered Governor McDonnell’s recommendations to 134 bills, four vetoes, and 86 budget amendments.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the House agreed to a gubernatorial amendment that would once again cut Public Broadcasting funding.

Former Governor Tim Kaine has announced that he’s running for the seat currently held by U-S Senator Jim Webb.  Kaine, who is also the Democratic National Committee Chairman, made his announcement by tweeting, “I’m running” on the social media Website, Twitter.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more from the State Capitol.

State lawmakers have convened their redistricting session …where they will configure new maps of the General Assembly’s legislative district boundaries.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the session’s first day began with constituents and even some lawmakers unhappy with their handiwork.

Governor McDonnell has signed into law 25 bills aimed at assisting active-duty members of the military, veterans, and their families.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a second goal of the new laws is to help make Virginia the most veteran-friendly state.

The Governor’s Independent Bipartisan Advisory Commission on Redistricting has narrowed down the options for redrawing congressional and General Assembly district boundaries.  But now it will be left to lawmakers next week to decide if they will set aside partisanship and avoid gerrymandering.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more details from the Capitol.

It won’t be long before Virginia women are officially recognized on the grounds of the State Capitol for their contributions to the Commonwealth and the nation.  A state commission established to recommend a monument that will acknowledge women held its inaugural meeting this week… and will soon travel throughout the state to find out how residents think the tribute should be depicted.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more from the Capitol.

This week, Virginia’s redistricting and census data will be presented across the Commonwealth for public comment.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a House committee has approved the general guidelines for how the lines will be drawn … with little input from the voters.

Disagreements over the federal health care overhaul continue in Virginia, one year after the measure became law. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, some of the State’s most prominent political figures remain in the center of the debate.

Thirteen colleges and universities have been competing in two divisions to re-draw the Commonwealth’s legislative district boundaries. And now, the Virginia Redistricting Competition has announced the winning teams– who also hope their maps will influence state lawmakers as they draw their own lines next month. Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports from the Capitol.

Virginia businesses could get some relief from a local tax that was first imposed during the War of 1812 … under two bills that have been signed into law by Governor McDonnell.  In the past, businesses which have been struggling to stay afloat have been required to pay the local license tax—even when they were losing money.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports from the State Capitol.

A disease that affects three-to-four times more people than HIV/AIDS but gets far less attention … and is the largest vector-borne disease in the U.S. … is quickly becoming a major threat to Virginians—especially children.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a state task force on Lyme disease has been asked to provide more education to school nurses, psychologists, and medical professionals about the deadly, degenerative, neurological disease.

At least two members of Virginia’s Congressional delegation are calling for regulatory reforms that they say will take the choke-hold off businesses and jump-start the U-S economy.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, 7th District Congressman Eric Cantor held a “Job Creators Forum” to discuss how to do just that.

While the job of lobbyists is to sway lawmakers in the direction of their causes, the job of legislators is to represent voters within their districts.  Although many states don’t have a means of keeping voters informed about who is trying to influence elected officials, Virginia is one of the few states that does.  And, as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, there’s an extra push this week to raise awareness and increase transparency in government.

A state task force that’s examining how to stem the tide of mortgage foreclosures in Virginia was updated Tuesday on the latest trends.  The panel will be weighing potential state laws that could change the process of foreclosing on homes.  And, as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the panel is not certain that the number of cases has peaked.

The devastation in the wake of Japan’s sudden massive earthquake is a reminder that emergency preparedness is critical for an effective response to natural or manmade disasters.  And while Virginia hasn’t encountered major earthquakes, the state HAS sometimes been hit hard by tornadoes and hurricanes.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the state is sponsoring a drill across the Commonwealth on Tuesday to help residents get ready.

The first of 10 statewide public hearings conducted by the Independent Bipartisan Redistricting Commission yielded slightly The first of 10 statewide public hearings conducted by the Independent Bipartisan Redistricting Commission yielded slightly more than two dozen observers and speakers.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, some questioned the fairness and effectiveness of the process.

Expect more lobbying for higher tobacco taxes, more state anti-smoking initiatives, a ban on nicotine products that resemble candy and mints, and a push to expand restrictions on smoking indoors … IF a new statewide anti-tobacco alliance gets its way.  Although the coalition has no official name or agenda, its members say they will continue the work of the now defunct “Virginians for a Healthy Future”… and aim to also expand on its successes.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports. 

Each year Virginians are bilked out of millions of dollars through fraudulent schemes.  During this National Consumer Protection Week, Virginia’s Attorney General has launched a campaign to make the public aware of the scams…which clever perpetrators are disguising as legitimate services.  Tommie McNeil reports from the Capitol.

Funding levels for Public Broadcasting went through a long series of proposed changes as the General Assembly hammered out revisions to the two-year state budget.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the final outcome of the budget negotiations produced both winners and losers.

Democratic U-S Senator Mark Warner brought a sobering message to Richmond:  that the soaring federal deficit will bankrupt the U-S unless steps are taken this year to begin reigning it in.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, Warner said all revenue and spending options must be on the table.

State lawmakers made significant changes to the dates when Virginia voters can head to the polls this year and next.  The General Assembly approved bills to change when primaries will be held for the House of Delegates and state Senate elections this year … and the Presidential elections in 2012.  Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

There are quite a few bills headed to Governor McDonnell’s desk to be signed into law that will give Virginia’s Social Services a boost. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, although there are some that he may not sign, one that received unanimous support in both chambers will greatly benefit the state’s seniors receiving unemployment benefits.

During the recent Virginia General Assembly session, most of what was reported were the controversial issues of the budget, transportation, state liquor privatization, and abortion.  But lawmakers also debated many pieces of legislation that are just as compelling—not only in Virginia, but nationwide.  And, as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, one of those bills tackled the issue of human trafficking.

Bipartisan legislation that is on its way to Governor McDonnell’s desk aims to revamp the way Virginia’s colleges and universities deliver higher education.  Lawmakers say the bill is a roadmap to prevent tuition spikes … and enable an additional 100,000 degrees for in-state students.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports from the Capitol.

Before adjourning, both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly agreed unanimously on a state budget for the first time in decades. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the process  involved making compromises.

After a lengthy debate in the Senate and a rare tie-breaking vote by Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Virginia is on track to become the first state to regulate clinics that perform first-trimester abortions.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie Mcneil has more from the State Capitol.

Before the Virginia General Assembly reconvenes to address state legislative and Congressional redistricting, the rules must be set for how the lines will be drawn and submitted to the Department of Justice.  The Joint Reapportionment Committee met to begin developing those rules, and some members are asking how to define the term “minorities” and how voting habits should affect the process.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports from the State Capitol.

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State lawmakers are honoring an obscure Virginia woman who launched a scientific revolution—but never knew it.  All of the members of the General Assembly signed a resolution paying tribute to Henrietta Lacks …whose cells were used by researchers to develop the polio vaccine and make other significant discoveries.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports from the Capitol.

House of Delegates and Senate budget negotiators have been meeting to discuss their competing state spending plans…which feature some stark differences in education, transportation, state pension, and health care funding.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the conferees say progress in reconciling their differences is slow.

After numerous sessions of trying to get it passed, a bill to permit an option of castration for chronically violent sex offenders is finally moving forward, and the bill’s sponsor couldn’t be happier. The language in the bill is watered down from its original version, but as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it could ultimately change how Virginia treats those with ongoing predatory traits.

A bill that stiffens penalties for underage drinking and driving-which could impose up to a year in jail for the offense-has sailed through both chambers of the General Assembly and is now headed to the Governor’s desk.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the law isn’t as tough on teens as some who opposed it thought.

A tax bill that originated in the House of Delegates and has passed overwhelmingly in the Senate may keep struggling Virginia businesses from going under once the Governor signs it.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.